Kreuzheben vs Strength Cycle
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kreuzheben
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Minimalist strength training tracker for serious lifters. Free to download — no ads, no account, no subscription. SIMPLE BY DESIGN Track your workouts without distractions. No social features, no bloated dashboards. Just the essentials. FREE FOREVER - 10/6/3 rep schemes for structured progression - Free mode for custom training - Full training history with edit, search & share - Personal records automatically tracked - Bodyweight exercises with optional added weight - Body weight tracking with trend indicator - Timer for timed exercises (planks, dead hangs) - Siri shortcuts for hands-free logging - Export & import for backup KREUZHEBEN PRO — ONE-TIME PURCHASE - Proven training programs: Wendler 5/3/1, nSuns 5/3/1 LP, 5×5, GZCL - Automatic Training Max progression and AMRAP sets - Detailed statistics: trends and progression per exercise - AI-powered training analysis Buy once, keep forever. No subscription. Ever. Bought Kreuzheben when it was a paid app? Pro is already included for you — for free. YOUR DATA, YOUR DEVICE - All data stored locally on your device - No account required - No cloud sync, no data collection AVAILABLE IN 21 LANGUAGES English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Swedish, Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese. Built in Munich by a lifter, for lifters.
Strength Cycle
This app meticulously implements popular strength training programs like 5/3/1, 3x5 Strength, and Texas Method with full methodology fidelity. It provides exact prescribed percentages, automatic e1RM calculations, and detailed workout history tracking. An in-app assistant offers guidance on program-specific questions.
- Full methodology fidelity for 5/3/1, 3x5, and Texas Method
- Exact prescribed percentages, no rounding
- AMRAP top set logging with e1RM calculation
- Training Max progression tracking
- Automatic deload week handling
- Filterable workout history
- In-app assistant for program guidance
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Built for serious lifters running structured strength programs. Strength Cycle handles 5/3/1, 3x5 Strength, and Texas Method with the rigor each methodology demands. No generic templates. No bolted-on assumptions. Every program implemented with full methodology fidelity: - 5/3/1 — Wendler's percentage-based system with proper Training Max management, AMRAP top set logging, and complete 4-week cycle phases (5/5/5, 3/3/3, 5/3/1, deload). - 3x5 Strength — Linear progression for intermediate strength building, with smart deload triggers when progress stalls. - Texas Method — Volume/recovery/intensity weekly progression with PR-driven Training Max updates. MORE PROGRAMS COMING Strength Cycle is built program-first. More proven strength programs are in active development — each implemented with the same methodology fidelity as the three above. No half-baked templates, no generic "add your own program" placeholders. WHAT YOU GET - Exact prescribed percentages, never rounded into uselessness - AMRAP top set logging with automatic e1RM calculation (Epley formula) - Training Max progression tracked across cycles, with full phase context - Deload weeks handled with proper percentages — not skipped, not faked - Workout history filterable by lift, cycle, and phase - e1RM trend charts per lift across all cycles - Ask Coach — in-app assistant for AMRAP interpretation, TM management, assistance work selection, deload decisions, and program-specific programming questions BUILT BY A LIFTER Strength Cycle was built by a 30+ year lifter who got tired of programming apps that misunderstand the programs they claim to support. If you've ever rolled your eyes at an app rounding 67.5% to "70% — close enough" or skipping deloads entirely, this is the one that gets it right. FREE, NO SUBSCRIPTIONS, NO ADS Strength Cycle is free to download and use. No subscription tiers. No paywalled programs. No ads. Just the programs, done right.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Strength Cycle at none against Kreuzheben's 1. Strength Cycle also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Kreuzheben sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Strength Cycle asks for nothing beyond the download.
Kreuzheben ships an update every 2 weeks, Strength Cycle every 11 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.
| Parameter | Kreuzheben | Strength Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Samuel Zimmermann | Strength Cycle Studios, LLC |
In-app purchases
Kreuzheben
- Kreuzheben Pro$3.99
Strength Cycle
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Kreuzheben free?
Is Strength Cycle free?
Do Kreuzheben or Strength Cycle have ads?
Which is updated more often, Kreuzheben or Strength Cycle?
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